]]>A Secret Service agent on Vice President Mike Pence's detail has been suspended from his official duties after getting caught meeting with a prostitute at a Maryland hotel.

Multiple law enforcement sources told CNN that an off-duty agent was arrested and charged with solicitation after the police responded to a call from the hotel manager, who reported suspicious activity in one of the rooms.

The Secret Service agent self-reported his arrest to the agency after the incident, which occurred last week. The agent was required to surrender his weapon and official gear. The employee was placed on administrative leave and his security clearance was suspended.

A spokesperson for the agency acknowledged the incident was under investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility to determine the facts of the case.

"We are exploring the full range of disciplinary actions," the Secret Service spokesperson told CNN.

Last week's arrest was not the first incident involving the Secret Service being probed for inappropriate behavior this year. In mid-March, two Secret Service agents were under investigation for taking a selfie with President Donald Trump's eight-year-old grandson while he was sleeping.

]]>http://freebeacon.com/issues/secret-service-agent-pences-detail-suspended-rendezvous-prostitute/feed/0DEA Agents Who Threw ‘Sex Parties’ Rewarded With Bonuseshttp://freebeacon.com/issues/dea-agents-who-threw-sex-parties-rewarded-with-bonuses/
http://freebeacon.com/issues/dea-agents-who-threw-sex-parties-rewarded-with-bonuses/#respondThu, 22 Oct 2015 19:00:07 +0000http://freebeacon.com/?p=505255Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents involved in the prostitution scandal in Colombia were rewarded with bonuses as high as $32,000, according to a new report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

]]>Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents involved in the prostitution scandal in Colombia were rewarded with bonuses as high as $32,000, according to a new report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

The regional director, who did not report to DEA management that his subordinates were throwing "sex parties" with prostitutes paid for by drug cartels in Cartagena, Colombia, received nearly $70,000. Half of the 10 agents who were investigated also received bonuses.

"Our review found there were 20 award requests made in connection with the 14 individuals described in our report," the OIG audit said, referencing its first audit that detailed the prostitution scandal in March. "Although none of the 14 individuals received promotions, we found that in 10 instances, 8 employees received bonuses, awards, or other favorable personnel actions, contrary to DEA policy."

DEA policy bars employees from receiving bonuses for three years following discipline for "significant misconduct" or while an investigation is ongoing.

"We also found three instances in which there was no documentation reflecting the basis for going forward with a favorable personnel action under these circumstances and seven instances in which the DEA followed policy for these employees," the OIG said.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R., Va.) requested the OIG examine whether agents involved in the prostitution scandal were promoted or received bonuses. Goodlatte said the OIG’s findings were troubling.

"Today’s Inspector General report raises serious concerns about the disciplinary process at the Drug Enforcement Administration," Goodlatte said. "Not only did the agents involved in sexual misconduct outlined in a previous report escape appropriate punishment, the majority of them received bonuses or other work perks."

"This is unacceptable and I expect leadership at the DEA to fix its disciplinary process so that instances such as these never happen again in the future," he said.

The amount of bonuses received by agents involved in the scandal ranged from $1,500 to nearly $32,000. The regional director, who handled the matter internally instead of reporting the misconduct to the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), received a $31,938.80 bonus in May 2013.

The director himself became the subject of an OPR investigation and was punished only with a "counseling session."

"Thus, because the DEA does not consider ‘counseling’ to constitute formal discipline, it appears that the DEA’s policy generally requiring a 3-year waiting period before an award or promotion can be given to an employee disciplined for ‘significant misconduct’ did not apply to the Regional Director," the OIG said.

The regional director received $68,600 in bonuses between October 2010, when the investigation began, and April 2014.

The review also found that one special agent received a $2,000 bonus while under investigation for patronizing prostitutes and frequenting brothels.

Another special agent "allegedly entertained prostitutes at his government-leased quarters on a frequent basis and on one occasion reportedly assaulted a prostitute."

The DEA began investigating the agent for misconduct in June 2010. One month later, he received a $1,500 bonus.

An assistant regional director also received a $5,000 bonus after receiving a letter of reprimand. The director was accused of making "numerous inappropriate sexual comments," and asking an assistant to "watch pornographic movies."

Goodlatte said his committee would continue to provide oversight over the agency.

"Leadership at the DEA must crack down on bad behavior so that trust is rebuilt with the American people," he said.

Leonnig's report, co-authored with David Nakamura and published Thursday, indicated that senior White House aides knew about the scandal despite claims to the contrary from administration officials at the time.

"The White House has said a lot of different things over the last two years about why a White House staffer likely wasn't involved and why their review was very thorough and they found nothing to it," Leonnig said. "This issue of mistaken identity is a red herring. It's demonstratively false to say the only evidence involving this guy was that a woman had signed herself into this room."

After reviewing records, Leonnig and Nakamura found that the inspector general investigating the case had altered and stalled reports with "sensitive" information at the request of members of the administration.

"That acting inspector general refused to turn over any of his internal correspondence, so the senate investigation said, ‘Hey, we looked at this; we couldn't figure out if the inspector general was retaliating against people who questioned him,'" Leonnig said. "But this inspector general resigned three days before he was supposed to come before a hearing of lawmakers and answer questions about this."

In 2010, an OTC employee "misused" government resources to solicit prostitutes on three separate occasions via Craigslist. While working at the OTC, investigators said, the government staffer "viewed websites offering erotic services on a weekly basis as well as communicating with and arranging meetings with women offering erotic services." […]

In another finding, the OIG cited an OCC staffer for accepting golf fees and meals from bank executives. The staffer, who had received ethics training, said he believed playing golf with industry officials under the purview of OCC was "a condoned activity." […]

OIG found other financial conflicts of interest with the OCC relating to contract bids and the acceptance of improper gifts such as flowers, meals and at least one limousine ride. A separate Treasury official was deemed to have a financial conflict of interest in 2010 when the bank examiner disclosed he had an overdraft protection line of credit loan from a financial institution that was regulated by the OTS.

]]>http://freebeacon.com/politics/treasury-gone-wild/feed/0AP’s Prostitution Disasterhttp://freebeacon.com/national-security/aps-prostitution-disaster/
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/aps-prostitution-disaster/#respondWed, 30 May 2012 16:23:35 +0000http://freebeacon.com/?p=12285The Associated Press has a prostitution problem and is petitioning the commander of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District to remedy it, according to an internal memo obtained by reporter Jim Romenesko.

]]>The Associated Press has a prostitution problem and is petitioning the commander of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District to remedy it, according to an internal memo obtained by reporter Jim Romenesko.

In response to a "resurgence of the prostitution problem" outside of its D.C. bureau, Ed Tobias, manager of Business Continuity and Disaster Planning for the AP, has sought to designate the bureau a "prostitution free zone," according to the memo.

Tobias informed AP employees about the problem via a memo:

I’ve been in touch with the commander of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District about the resurgence of the prostitution problem in front of our bureau. My email included a request that the 1100 block of 13th Street be designated as a "prostitution free zone." If designated as such, police officers would have an easier time making arrests for loitering.

Jacob Kishter, a commander at the Metropolitan Police Department, responded:

Thanks Ed we will address. Also, the prostitution free zones are under legal review so [sic] currently so they are not being used, but we can definitely do some undercover work in the area.

]]>http://freebeacon.com/national-security/aps-prostitution-disaster/feed/0NATO Follieshttp://freebeacon.com/national-security/nato-follies/
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/nato-follies/#respondWed, 09 May 2012 21:52:17 +0000http://freebeacon.com/?p=10778The commander of the U.S. Northern Command this week directed all military personnel assigned to security duties at the NATO summit in Chicago to refrain from soliciting prostitutes or drinking alcoholic beverages, according to a copy of the orders.

]]>The commander of the U.S. Northern Command this week directed all military personnel assigned to security duties at the NATO summit in Chicago to refrain from soliciting prostitutes or drinking alcoholic beverages, according to a copy of the orders.

Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, the Northcom commander, stated in a May 6 memo that troops in Chicago during the summit that begins May 20 will not "solicit prostitutes or engage in conduct which is unprofessional or unbecoming of a member of the armed forces."

One military officer called the restrictions "an overreaction to recent Secret Service misconduct in Colombia."

Northern Command spokesman Bill Lewis had no immediate comment on the memo.

The order follows the sex scandal involving 11 U.S. Secret Service agents and 12 U.S. Southern Command military personnel linked to the use of prostitutes while working as security agents for the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena last month.

The Northcom orders for NATO summit security personnel stated that consumption of alcohol by troops is prohibited unless a colonel approves an exception for a "special social event."

Proper uniforms or appropriate civilian attire must be worn while on duty, and off-duty garments that must not be worn in public include ripped or torn clothes, garments "displaying profanity, nudity, illegal drug-related pictures or words," as well as a ban on clothes with a "racial, sexual or ethnic slogans or words."

Government and rental vehicles also can only be used for official travel, unless approved by a commander.

Jacoby stated in a cover memo to the orders that in addition to providing security for the summit, "the reputation and hospitality of our country and our armed forces will be on display for the world."

"It is incumbent on all of you to perform your duties to the best of your ability and to represent your country and service in the best possible manner," the two generals said. "In a very real sense, the eyes of the country and world will be on you. I am confident you will keep faith with your fellow service members and not let the team or the country down."

The memo was co-signed by Army Brig. Gen. Robert Pratt, commander of the Joint Task Force Summit under the Illinois National Guard. An Illinois National Guard spokesman could not be reached for comment.

Security personnel for the NATO summit will also take part in the summit of the G-8 countries’ leaders at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland on May 18 and May 19.

Then on May 20 NATO leaders will hold a major meeting in Chicago, where the main topic will be the U.S.-led military operation in Afghanistan.

About 10,000 people will take part in the summit, including 7,000 delegates and 3,000 journalists.

The U.S. Secret Service is in overall charge of security for the summit. NATO, the State Department, the FBI, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Chicago police are also involved.

It could not be learned how many military personnel are deployed for the summit. But it is believed that at least several hundred military and defense officials will be there and covered by the Northcom order. President Obama will attend the meeting, the first held in a U.S. city other than Washington.

Security in Chicago during the summit is expected to be tight in anticipation of large-scale demonstrations by anti-war protesters. Chicago police and federal law enforcement authorities are working with the military in coordinating security measures.

There are also concerns that terrorists will try to disrupt the meeting or carry out terrorist attacks.

The general order No. 1 for troops working with the Joint Task Force Summit outlined what it said were "standards of conduct."

"The NATO summit is a significant event in the development and sustainment of our national security policy," Jacoby said.

"NATO is the United States’ longest standing and most trusted alliance."

The purpose of the order is to identify conduct that undermines "good order and discipline."

Commanders were ordered to provide clear mechanisms for defense and military personnel that will provide accountability and a well-defined chain of command. All those at the summit must "be accountable to each other and conduct themselves in an honorable manner."

The order specifically states that violations of the standards of conduct will result in possible prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Commanders must relay the orders to all Joint Task Force Summit members and emphasize that they are to be follow "both on and off duty."

Sen. Carl Levin told reporters this week that military personnel working at the Cartagena summit did not act properly in contacting the chain of command about the decision to allow the 12 military personnel involved in the sexual liaisons to remain in Colombia as Obama began his visit.

"Whether that was a correct or incorrect decision will be the subject perhaps of discussion," Levin said, according to the Washington Post.

The 11 Secret Service employees linked to the scandal, by contrast to the military personnel, were sent home immediately after the incident became known to supervisors.

The Southern Command has completed its investigation into the affair and is considering disciplinary action. The command is in charge of U.S. military activities in the Latin and South America.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in a speech at Fort Benning, Ga., last week that "a series of troubling incidents" had focused on the need for better conduct.

"I need every one of you, every one of you and all of your fellow service members to always display the strongest character, the greatest discipline and the utmost integrity in everything you do," Panetta said.

]]>http://freebeacon.com/national-security/nato-follies/feed/0Feds Feeling Heat For Misbehaviorhttp://freebeacon.com/national-security/feds-feeling-heat-for-misbehavior/
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/feds-feeling-heat-for-misbehavior/#respondThu, 19 Apr 2012 13:49:41 +0000http://freebeacon.com/?p=9031The Secret Service has terminated three agents in the wake of the Colombian prostitution scandal that has rocked the Obama administration—the second scandal to strike the federal government in as many weeks.

]]>The Secret Service has terminated three agents in the wake of the Colombian prostitution scandal that has rocked the Obama administration—the second scandal to strike the federal government in as many weeks.

At least one of the Secret Service officers was allowed to retire, which may allow him to keep his federal pension, Politicoreports:

One supervisory employee was allowed to retire and a second supervisor has been proposed for removal for cause — which requires 30-day notice and the right to be represented by private legal counsel. A third non-supervisory employee also stepped down. The other eight Secret Service employees remain on administrative leave and have had their security clearances suspended.

Last week, the head of the General Services Administration resigned, and two officials were fired in connection to the $800,000 Las Vegas taxpayer funded conference that has thrown a spotlight on profligate federal spending. The GSA is calling on three other officials to pay back the costs of the conference as Congress ramps up its investigation.

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said he hopes swift punishment will stop future agencies from raucous partying on the taxpayer’s dime—especially those charged with protecting the president.

"I’ve always said that if heads don’t roll, the culture in a federal agency will never change. Today’s personnel actions, combined with the swift removal and investigation, are positive signs that there is a serious effort to get to the bottom of this scandal," he said.

While federally subsidized parties may be going by the way side for now, the culture of fireproof federal employees may continue.

One of the fired Secret Service agents, who reportedly left the president’s travel schedule in the open as 20 prostitutes bandied about the hotel room, plans on getting his job back, according to the New York Post.

A source said the dismissed officer plans to sue for his job back.

The Senate Judiciary Committee said more heads could roll in connection to the incident.

]]>http://freebeacon.com/national-security/feds-feeling-heat-for-misbehavior/feed/0Edwards Named in “Millionaire Brothel” Investigationhttp://freebeacon.com/issues/edwards-named-in-millionaire-brothel-investigation/
http://freebeacon.com/issues/edwards-named-in-millionaire-brothel-investigation/#respondThu, 22 Mar 2012 13:45:25 +0000http://freebeacon.com/?p=6482Disgraced presidential candidate John Edwards’ campaign bedroom shenanigans involved more than his love child’s mother, Rielle Hunter. He also stopped into a high-end brothel in Manhattan, while on a fundraising trip to the city in 2007.

]]>Disgraced presidential candidate John Edwards’ campaign bedroom shenanigans involved more than his love child’s mother, Rielle Hunter. He also stopped into a high-end brothel in Manhattan while on a fundraising trip to the city in 2007.

New York prosecutors knew about the episode, but refused to act on the testimony of the prostitute.

According to "On The Inside" sources, Edwards allegedly hooked up with one of ["Millionaire Madam" Anna] Gristina’s high-end hookers in 2007 when the dashing pol from North Carolina brought his then high-flying presidential campaign to the Big Apple.

The one-night fling allegedly took place at an Upper East Side hotel suite and was arranged by an aide with help from a New Yorker familiar with Gristina’s prostitution ring, sources said.

The prostitute claiming to have slept with Edwards provided a detailed, first-hand account of their encounter to investigators in the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 2008 after they began probing Gristina’s operation, sources said.

Edwards has bigger legal problems to worry about. The federal government has charged him with using campaign donations to cover up for his love affair with Hunter.

]]>Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that Sen. Jim Inhofe (R., Okla.) is a "call girl" for oil companies because he has asked the Obama administration to answer questions about its fuel and air pollution policies.

"Well, I think it's an opportunity for Americans to compare the relative moral positions of the two acts in question and which is more harmful to our country," he said. "In Sen. Inhofe's case, here's a U.S. senator whose job is to serve the American public who has made a clear and unambiguous choice to serve the moneyed interests of oil companies."

"The context with which Mr. Limbaugh used it was wrong and immoral," Kennedy Jr. added. "But it’s not immoral in using it to apply to a politician who is selling his office."

]]>http://freebeacon.com/issues/kennedy-labels-inhofe-call-girl/feed/0Democratic Councilman Arrested in Prostitution Stinghttp://freebeacon.com/issues/democratic-councilman-arrested-in-prostitution-sting/
http://freebeacon.com/issues/democratic-councilman-arrested-in-prostitution-sting/#respondFri, 17 Feb 2012 15:29:12 +0000http://freebeacon.com/?p=2796The Tennessean reports that Councilman Brady Banks “met the undercover officer in a hotel room after responding to an escort service ad posted by the police department on the Internet,” according to a police news release.

REPORTER: Brady Banks is a councilman in District 4, that's in south Nashville. He was arrested this afternoon during a Metro police sting operation. The 33-year-old councilman was arrested and charged with offering an undercover female police officer $100 in exchange for sex. The sting took place late this afternoon at the Spring Hill Suites on Athens Way in Metro Center. He was arrested at 4:40 this afternoon as part of an undercover operation, where several men were arrested. Banks is part of the new class of members for Metro council. He is married and has one child. He represents an area of Nashville that borders Williamson county. A judicial commissioner set Bank's bail at $1000 earlier today. Political insiders tell News 5 Banks was a rising star in the political world with possible aspirations of even running for state senate.

The Tennessean also reports that Banks "met the undercover officer in a hotel room after responding to an escort service ad posted by the police department on the Internet," according to a police news release.